Director of Public Prosecutions Renson Ingonga, CBS, OGW, has reaffirmed the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions’ (ODPP) commitment to working with electoral, security and justice sector institutions to safeguard a peaceful, transparent and constitutional electoral process ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Speaking during a High-Level round table Consultative Meeting on Election Security at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, Ingonga said credible elections require coordinated action by all institutions involved in the electoral and justice ecosystem.
He said Article 81 of the Constitution provides a clear national benchmark by requiring the electoral system to guarantee free and fair elections that are free from violence, intimidation, improper influence and corruption.
“Delivering on this mandate requires the active, coordinated support of all security and justice sector actors,” the DPP said.
Ingonga noted that while the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has the primary constitutional responsibility of ensuring elections are conducted in an environment free from fear, threats and manipulation, other institutions also have an important role in safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.
He said the ODPP occupies a critical position in the electoral ecosystem by ensuring that the rule of law is upheld and that attempts to compromise electoral integrity are met with swift, transparent and firm legal consequences.
The DPP identified political violence and goonism, targeted gender-based violence and the unchecked spread of online disinformation as some of the major risks that must be addressed ahead of the 2027 polls.
“Kenya must candidly address the serious risks threatening our political environment, particularly the rise of political violence and goonism, targeted gender-based violence, and the unchecked spread of online disinformation,” he said.
Ingonga also stressed the need to protect the digital environment from false information and dangerous propaganda that could undermine national stability during the election period.
He disclosed that the ODPP has lodged an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the declaration of unconstitutionality concerning Sections 22 and 23 of the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act.
According to Ingonga, protecting the digital space from weaponized false information will be crucial to maintaining peace and stability as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Elections.
The DPP further said the ODPP has engaged Parliament over statutory gaps affecting the prosecution of public order offences. He said the Office is pursuing legislative amendments to the Penal Code, particularly provisions relating to offences such as incitement to violence and creating a disturbance likely to cause a breach of peace, which had previously been declared unconstitutional.
Ingonga said aligning the offences with constitutional standards would provide law enforcement agencies and prosecutors with clear and constitutionally sound legal tools to prevent and respond to public disorder while protecting fundamental freedoms.
He stressed that the legal framework must strike an appropriate balance between maintaining public order and safeguarding constitutional rights.
The DPP assured Kenyans that the ODPP is operationally prepared to handle election-related offences across the country. He said the Office has a presence in all 47 counties, giving it the capacity to respond to electoral offences in real time.
Ingonga added that prosecutors will be guided by the ODPP’s Decision to Charge Guidelines when reviewing investigations relating to electoral offences. He emphasised that every investigation file would be considered objectively, independently and without political bias.
“Prosecutors will review every investigation file with objectivity, independence and political neutrality,” he said.
To strengthen preparedness ahead of the elections, Ingonga said the ODPP will undertake capacity-building programmes for prosecution counsel on election-related offences. The Office will also partner with the IEBC and other relevant institutions to strengthen the capacity of justice sector actors.
The DPP said public confidence in security and justice institutions would be central to the success of the electoral process. He assured the public that individuals suspected of committing electoral offences would face the law regardless of their political standing.
“A credible election depends heavily on public confidence in our security and legal institutions,” Mr. Ingonga said, reaffirming the ODPP’s commitment to ensuring that perpetrators of electoral crimes are held accountable without delay.
He said the prosecution of electoral offences must be conducted professionally, fairly and independently to strengthen confidence in the justice system and the broader electoral process.
Ingonga further said preparations for a secure and credible election cannot be left until polling day but must be sustained through continuous collaboration among institutions.
He reaffirmed the ODPP’s commitment to working closely with the IEBC, National Police Service, civil society and other security sector partners to protect the democratic rights of every Kenyan.
“Building a secure and credible election is a continuous effort that requires unwavering collaboration ahead of the polling day,” he said.
